THE WARRIORS DON’T need the headache that is Ron Artest. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t pursue him.

As Chris Mullin learned with Baron Davis and Billy Beane with Milton Bradley, it’s always a good idea to make a low-end bid on an expensive item. Only two things can happen:

Either someone makes a higher offer, meaning you don’t get something you really don’t need in the first place, or you pay 25 cents on the dollar for something of value.

Who’d have thought Davis could be acquired for a backup point guard and fourth-string center? And that Bradley could be yours for nothing more than a minor-leaguer?

The Pacers want to believe they’ll be knee-deep in attractive offers by the end of the week, but they’re kidding themselves. They’ve got a glorified Latrell Sprewell on their hands, and you remember what the Warriors got for him.

By this time next week, Larry Bird is going to be dealing with his own Terrell Owens — a guy who wants out and no longer can be stashed on a suspended list. At that point, the Pacers are going to be knee-deep in something all right, but it’s not going to be anything pleasant.

A week from now, Bird either is going to laugh at Mullin, or he’s going to get his old pal on the phone and ask, “Will you throw in Andris Biedrins?”

The Warriors boss has seven days to script his response.

DATELINE: By the Atlantic. I’ll be shocked if Artest doesn’t wind up a Knick.

First off, the former St. John’s star wants to play in New York. Imagine that.

And secondly, the Knicks could give the Pacers decent value by offering Stephon Marbury and Trevor Ariza, while agreeing also to take back Austin Croshere’s big contract.

Much speculation has centered on the Kings, who last year appeared anxious to acquire Artest for Peja Stojakovic. But Geoff Petrie would be crazy to make the same offer today.

He, like everyone else, has to recognize Artest’s value has gone way down. And adding one more dysfunctional piece to Rick Adelman’s volatile mix surely wouldn’t have positive results.

DATELINE: Upstairs. I’ve figured it out …

In the aftermath of arguably the Raiders’ most embarrassing performance in at least five years, Al Davis calls Jim Fassel and asks what he’d do.

Desperate to be a head coach again next year and recognizing Davis’ admiration for Kerry Collins, Fassel rips the Marques Tuiasosopo move and tells Davis reinstating the ex-Giant is a no-brainer.

So now, not only are we stuck with Collins the rest of the season, but we also get a Meadowlands reunion of Fassel and his old quarterback in 2006.

All because Mr. Davis is the only man in Oakland who thinks beating the Browns this week is important.

At least we won’t have to watch it. Well done, Raiders fans.

DATELINE: First and third. Bill Mueller would have been a much better fit for the Giants at third base than Pedro Feliz. So why did Brian Sabean allow his popular ex-employee to sign with the Dodgers?

Feliz has enough value that he could have been attached to Edgardo Alfonzo in a package deal for, oh, a Single-A bullpen catcher. The $11.5 million in savings could have been reinvested in Mueller, a backup catcher and a utility infielder.

Aren’t you better off by doing that?

Instead, the Giants currently employ free-swinging mirror images at the corners and a $7 million pinch hitter.

I can’t wait for Ned Colletti and Larry Krueger to come back.

What, if anything, would you be willing to give up in order to acquire Ron Artest? E-mail your thoughts (with full name and city) to

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